Organisms Commons^™

Candida Albicans Farnesol Synthesis And Secretion, Daniel J. Gutzmann

School of Biological Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Candida albicans is a polymorphic fungus and opportunistic commensal found primarily in the gastrointestinal and skin of healthy individuals. Several barriers prevent C. albicans from causing disease including a healthy immune system and microbiome. When these barriers become comprised, C. albicans can transition to a pathogen and disseminate through the intestinal mucosa leading to life-threatening bloodstream and invasive infections with mortality rates of up to 64%. Morphogenic plasticity is key to this transition and impacts virulence, adaptation to different host environments, and evasion of host immune responses. One regulator of morphogenesis is farnesol. Farnesol is a secondary metabolite …

Hepatitis A Cases On The Rise And What Can Be Done About It, Dana Mccarney, Stephen Rawlings

Journal of Maine Medical Center

No abstract provided.

Multi-Antigen Intranasal Vaccine Protects Against Challenge With Sarbecoviruses And Prevents Transmission In Hamsters, Ankita Leekha, Arash Saeedi, K M Samiur Rahman Sefat, Monish Kumar, Melisa Martinez-Paniagua, Adrian Damian, Rohan Kulkarni, Kate Reichel, Ali Rezvan, Shalaleh Masoumi, Xinli Liu, Laurence J N Cooper, Manu Sebastian, Courtney M Sands, Vallabh E Das, Nimesh B Patel, Brett Hurst, Navin Varadarajan

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Immunization programs against SARS-CoV-2 with commercial intramuscular vaccines prevent disease but are less efficient in preventing infections. Mucosal vaccines can provide improved protection against transmission, ideally for different variants of concern (VOCs) and related sarbecoviruses. Here, we report a multi-antigen, intranasal vaccine, NanoSTING-SN (NanoSTING-Spike-Nucleocapsid), eliminates virus replication in both the lungs and the nostrils upon challenge with the pathogenic SARS-CoV-2 Delta VOC. We further demonstrate that NanoSTING-SN prevents transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron VOC (BA.5) to vaccine-naïve hamsters. To evaluate protection against other sarbecoviruses, we immunized mice with NanoSTING-SN. We showed that immunization affords protection against SARS-CoV, leading to protection …

Motif-Vi Loop Acts As A Nucleotide Valve In The West Nile Virus Ns3 Helicase, Priti Roy, Zachary Walter, Lauren Berish, Holly Ramage, Martin Mccullagh

Department of Microbiology and Immunology Faculty Papers

The Orthoflavivirus NS3 helicase (NS3h) is crucial in virus replication, representing a potential drug target for pathogenesis. NS3h utilizes nucleotide triphosphate (ATP) for hydrolysis energy to translocate on single-stranded nucleic acids, which is an important step in the unwinding of double-stranded nucleic acids. Intermediate states along the ATP hydrolysis cycle and conformational changes between these states, represent important yet difficult-to-identify targets for potential inhibitors. Extensive molecular dynamics simulations of West Nile virus NS3h+ssRNA in the apo, ATP, ADP+Pi and ADP bound states were used to model the conformational ensembles along this cycle. Energetic and structural clustering analyses depict a clear …

Bacterial Isolates Associated With Urinary Tract Infection In Pregnant Women In North Of Thiqar, Iman Neamah Hussein Al Shuwaili, Haydar Khamis Al-Maliky

Maaen Journal for Medical Sciences

Pregnant women are most commonly infected with urinary tract infections (UTIs). Poor maternal and perinatal outcomes can come from it.One hundred and fifty urine samples were collected in a sterile procedure from pregnant women in north Thiqar province. With a duration period from September to December 2023. Several data were recorded from patients such as age, pregnancy duration, occupation and residence. In general they were 40 samples (26.66%) detected as Gram negative bacteria (G-ve) , while 20 samples(13.33%)showed non growth and 90 samples(60%) Gram-positive bacteria, among Gram negative bacteria: (20) isolates (13.33%) were Escherichia coli, (8) isolates (5.34%) were …

Microplastic Accumulation In The Marsh Periwinkle (Littoraria Irrorata), Sarah Keaton, Hannah Lukhard, Eli Windy, Manar Hasan

DePaul Discoveries

Contamination of oceans by microplastics (mm) currently poses a major threat to aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems worldwide. Recent attention towards this issue has raised questions about the extent to which microplastics have accumulated in the environment, and has led to an increase in studies on the effects of microplastics in various organisms. However, levels of contamination in protected natural areas are still largely unexplored, yet can offer an important empirical perspective on the issue. In addition, little is known about the potential effects of microplastics on behavior in the field. This research was conducted within the protected ACE Basin National …

Triticale As A Source Of Resistance To Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus And Triticum Mosaic Virus, Marcos Winicius Goncalves De Souza

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) and Triticum mosaic virus (TriMV) present a great threat to wheat production in the Great Plains area of the United States due to the loss of photosynthetic area causing reductions in crop yields. Effective control of these viruses is limited to a few available strategies including controlling volunteer wheat and using currently identified resistant genes to both the vector and viruses. While effective, these genes show temperature sensitivity and yield drag, and evidence that the vectors and viruses can overcome them has been found. Thus, new methods of genetic resistance are urgently needed. Field observations …

Investigating The Abilities Of Potentially Beneficial Bacteria For Increasing Nitrogen-Use Efficiency In Maize, Lexie R. Foster

School of Biological Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Global agriculture relies heavily on the use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer to meet the current global food demand. Unfortunately, the average nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE) of maize (Zea mays) is approximately 50 percent. Improving the NUE of maize is essential for meeting the growing global food demand while also decreasing the negative environmental impacts caused by losses of nitrogen fertilizer due to runoff and volatilization. Harnessing the symbiotic relationship between plants and the soil microbiome may be one method for increasing the NUE in crops such as maize. In the present study, a set of potentially beneficial bacterial species …

Assessment Of Foam Decontamination In Tomato Washing Process, Basim M. Alohali

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

The work of the dissertation investigated the efficacy of foam-based decontamination treatments to enhance microbial safety in Roma tomatoes, specifically targeting natural microflora and Salmonella contamination. Growing concerns over foodborne illnesses linked to fresh tomatoes and the limitations of conventional decontamination techniques, such as organic matter built-up and limited microbial reduction, are addressed. The primary objectives were to characterize the physiochemical properties of foams formed using various concentrations of Tween 20 (T20) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) with and without the addition of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and peracetic acid (PAA), compare the efficacy of foam and traditional dump tank (DT) …

Metabolomics Analysis Reveals Metabolite Diversity Of The Rare Cliff Plant Oresitrophe Rupifraga Unge, Hao Wang, Jinjun Cao, Sheng Chang, Caifeng Yan, Guangming Zhang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Oresitrophe is monotypic, with the only species, Oresitrophe rupifraga Bunge, which is exclusive to China, having special growth and developmental traits due to its habitat. Furthermore, it has bright flowers and medicinal benefits. This study investigated the metabolites present in various tissues of Oresitrophe rupifraga Bunge. Using a widely targeted metabolomics approach, 1965 different metabolites were identified in Oresitrophe rupifraga Bunge. Based on principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), the aboveground and underground metabolites of Oresitrophe rupifraga differed significantly. The comparison between bulblets and leaves revealed the differential expression of 461 metabolites, whereas the …

Novel Adaptations In Iron Regulation Acquired During Chronic Fungal Cf Infections, Daniel R. Murante

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Chronic fungal infections are highly recalcitrant to treatment; we postulated that as populations persist, increasing genetic diversity is reflected in phenotypic heterogeneity, contributing to treatment inefficacies. The study of evolutionary patterns is underrepresented in chronic fungal infections, and to supplement this body of knowledge, we leveraged isolates acquired from four individuals with chronic fungal-dominated cystic fibrosis infections. We evaluated in-host evolution through a whole-genome sequencing approach, comparing multiple isolates obtained from each subject's sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Our analysis found non-synonymous mutations that arose in parallel across the independent infections in the gene MRS4, which encodes a mitochondrial …

Confirmation And Inheritance Of Glufosinate Resistance In An Amaranthus Palmeri Population From North Carolina, Eric A L Jones, Jeffrey C Dunne, Charles W Cahoon, Katherine M Jennings, Ramon G Leon, Wesley J Everman

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

A putative glufosinate‐resistant Amaranthus palmeri population was reported in 2015 in Anson County, North Carolina. The results from dose–response assays conducted in the field suggested plants were surviving lethal rates of glufosinate. Dose–response assays conducted in the glasshouse determined the Anson County accession exhibited reduced susceptibility to glufosinate compared to three glufosinate‐susceptible populations. The LD50 values (210–316 g ai ha−1) for the Anson County population were always higher than the LD50 values (118–158 g ai ha−1) for the tested susceptible populations from the dose–response assays. Anson County plants that survived lethal glufosinate rates were reciprocally crossed with susceptible plants to …

Naturify 2300, Yarina Yiwei Dai

Masters Theses

In my art practice, I explore the interplay between human desires to manipulate and anthropomorphize nature, as seen in the technological augmentation of plants and living entities. This investigation delves into how this intersection, alongside empathy towards these creations, contributes to fears of uncontrollability and the risks of addiction and excessive dependence on technology.

Bioengineering and genetic modification have cultivated unprecedented developments, allowing humans to manipulate the fundamental building blocks of life. My research speculates on this technology further, modifying the genetic code of organisms and creating bioengineered wearable entities with enhanced traits or entirely new functionalities. The primary objective …

Dissecting The Potential Mechanisms Of Histone Deacetylase 1 Dependent Macrophage Phagocytosis Of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, Owusu A. Christian

Biotechnology Theses

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) mediate the removal of acetyl groups from the histones of chromatin and regulate the expression of the genes involved in cancer development and immune cell functions. Our previous study showed that HDAC2 enhances IL-1β production by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infected macrophages by promoting inflammasome activation. HDAC1, on the other hand, regulates macrophage phagocytosis of Mtb. However, the mechanisms by which HDAC1 controls macrophage phagocytosis remain unclear.

Using human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) and Mtb strains, we explore the mechanism of HDAC1 in macrophage phagocytosis of Mtb. Our results showed that blocking HDAC1, either chemically or genetically, …

Viral Reprogramming Of Host Transcription Initiation, Nathan A. Ungerleider, Claire Roberts, Tina M. O’Grady, Trang T. Nguyen, Melody Baddoo, Jia Wang, Eman Ishaq, Monica Concha, Meggie Lam, Jordan Bass, Truong D. Nguyen, Nick Van Otterloo, Nadeeshika Wickramarachchige-Dona, Dorota Wyczechowska, Maria Morales, Tianfang Ma, Yan Dong, Erik K. Flemington

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Viruses are master remodelers of the host cell environment in support of infection and virus production. For example, viruses typically regulate cell gene expression through modulating canonical cell promoter activity. Here, we show that Epstein Barr virus (EBV) replication causes ‘de novo’ transcription initiation at 29674 new transcription start sites throughout the cell genome. De novo transcription initiation is facilitated in part by the unique properties of the viral pre-initiation complex (vPIC) that binds a TATT[T/A]AA, TATA box-like sequence and activates transcription with minimal support by additional transcription factors. Other de novo promoters are driven by the viral transcription factors, …

Delivering Crispr To The Hiv-1 Reservoirs, Theodore Gurrola, Samuel Effah, Ilker Sariyer, Will Dampier, Michael Nonnemacher, Brian Wigdahl

Kimmel Cancer Center Faculty Papers

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection is well known as one of the most complex and difficult viral infections to cure. The difficulty in developing curative strategies arises in large part from the development of latent viral reservoirs (LVRs) within anatomical and cellular compartments of a host. The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/ CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) system shows remarkable potential for the inactivation and/or elimination of integrated proviral DNA within host cells, however, delivery of the CRISPR/Cas9 system to infected cells is still a challenge. In this review, the main factors impacting delivery, the challenges for delivery …

High-Density Genetic Map Construction And Qtl Mapping Of A Zigzag-Shaped Stem Trait In Tea Plant (Camellia Sinensis), Dingding Liu, Yuanyuan Ye, Rongjin Tang, Yang Gong, Si Chen, Chenyu Zhang, Piao Mei, Jiedan Chen, Liang Chen, Chunlei Ma

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The highly unique zigzag-shaped stem phenotype in tea plants boasts significant ornamental value and is exceptionally rare. To investigate the genetic mechanism behind this trait, we developed BC1 artificial hybrid populations. Our genetic analysis revealed the zigzag-shaped trait as a qualitative trait. Utilizing whole-genome resequencing, we constructed a high-density genetic map from the BC1 population, incorporating 5,250 SNP markers across 15 linkage groups, covering 3,328.51 cM with an average marker interval distance of 0.68 cM. A quantitative trait locus (QTL) for the zigzag-shaped trait was identified on chromosome 4, within a 61.2 to 97.2 Mb range, accounting for a phenotypic …

Hide & Cru-Seq: Investigating Potential Crucivirus Hosts With Fluorescently Labeled Protein, Marcell Devaune Richard, Nacho De La Higuera, Jono Abshier, Ken Stedman

Student Research Symposium

Cruciviruses are DNA viruses that contain a capsid protein that shares striking similarities to capsid proteins from RNA viruses. Formerly known as “RNA-DNA hybrid viruses”, this novel type of viruses suggest gene exchange between unrelated RNA and DNA viruses. However, the hosts of cruciviruses remain unknown. To investigate this groundbreaking virus genome further, utilization of the predicted viral host recognition domain (P-domain) fused to a thermal green protein and a histidine tag, allows investigation of crucivirus hosts in environments where these viruses have been discovered. Using cruciviruses that have been found in soil samples on the PSU campus, along with …

The Physiological Significance Of Nitric Oxide Synthase In Staphylococci, Ryan M. Singh

Theses & Dissertations

Staphylococci, particularly Staphylococcus epidermidis, are common causes of implant-associated infections that may result in notable morbidity and mortality. One of the ways the innate immune system attempts to combat these invading pathogens is via the respiratory burst, in which free radical species such as nitric oxide (NO^•), toxic to bacterial respiration, are released in large quantities. Despite the toxicity of NO^•, some bacteria, including staphylococci, encode an endogenous bacterial nitric oxide synthase (bNOS), whose physiological role has been unclear until now. In this dissertation, we demonstrate that S. epidermidis is able to overcome the toxicity …

Clostridium Perfringens Sepsis From A Hepatic Abscess With Hemolysis And Renal Failure, Requiring Hemodialysis, Joel Collins Ii, Katelyn Courtney, James A. Espinosa, Alan Lucerna

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

The prognosis of sepsis caused by Clostridium perfringens is extremely poor, with a mortality rate of 70%-100%. Management includes antibiotic regimens specific to toxin production as well as source control via surgical or interventional mechanisms. We report a case of a 64-year-old male who presented with right upper quadrant (RUQ) abdominal pain and was diagnosed with Clostridium perfringens bacteremia with associated acalculous cholecystitis, hepatic abscess, and acute renal failure requiring hemodialysis. It is felt that early hemodialysis was an associated factor in the patient's survival.